The Rise of Reverse Vending Machines in Europe: A Smarter Way to Recycle

Julian de Block

5 days ago

As Europe intensifies its efforts to reduce plastic pollution and boost recycling, one innovation has quietly become a key part of the solution: Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). These machines accept empty beverage containers (typically plastic bottles and aluminum cans) and provide a small monetary reward or voucher. The goal is simple but powerful: turn waste into value and make recycling convenient for everyone.

How Reverse Vending Machines Work

A reverse vending machine is the opposite of a traditional vending machine. Instead of dispensing drinks or snacks, it accepts used beverage containers. It identifies them using barcode scanning, weight sensors, or computer vision. Once accepted, the container is stored, and the user receives a reward. This reward usually includes a deposit refund, digital credit, or discount voucher.

RVMs are most effective when part of a broader deposit return scheme (DRS). DRS systems tied to RVMs have achieved recycling rates above 90% thanks to their simplicity and user incentives in countries like Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Reverse Vending Machines in research papers

Several studies have examined the effectiveness of reverse vending machines:

Higher Collection Rates: Research in Thailand found that installing RVMs increased PET bottle collection by 21% compared to the traditional janitor-based collection, demonstrating the machines’ power to boost participation (Tiyarattanachai, 2015).
Cleaner, More Usable Waste: The same study observed that RVMs collected cleaner, better-sorted recyclables than traditional systems, which reduces contamination and improves recycling quality (Tiyarattanachai, 2015).
Smart Technology Drives Accuracy: Newer machines use advanced image recognition and microcontrollers to identify and sort containers, making them accurate and less prone to fraud, even when containers are crushed or deformed (Kokoulin & Kiryanov, 2019), (Colaljo et al., 2024).
Incentives Work: Behavioral studies show that people are more likely to recycle when offered small, immediate incentives. Convenience and ease of use increase participation (Pramita et al., 2019).

Policy Momentum in Europe

The European Union is steadily increasing pressure on member states to improve recycling performance across all packaging materials, setting ambitious targets for 2025 and 2030. Plastic packaging (one of the most polluting and commonly used materials) must reach a 55% recycling rate by 2030, up from 50% in 2025, while aluminum, widely used in beverage cans, is expected to rise from 50% to 60%. Targets for other materials, such as ferrous metals (80%), glass (75%), and paper/cardboard (85%), reflect a broader push toward a circular economy. Therefore, Reverse Vending Machines are emerging as key enablers for managing plastic waste in this tight regulatory environment.

RVMs facilitate clean, source-separated collection through user incentives, addressing modern recycling systems’ volume and quality requirements. This makes them a strategic investment in infrastructure to meet Europe’s evolving environmental targets.

Packaging recycling targets in the European Union (EU-27) in 2025 and 2030, by type

Challenges and Future Opportunities

Despite their success, RVMs face initial cost, maintenance, and public awareness challenges. However, recent advances in low-cost hardware, energy-efficient sensors, and AI-based object recognition are rapidly improving their scalability and reliability (Sangprasert et al., 2023).

There is also growing interest in integrating RVMs with digital reward platforms. This would enable users to track their environmental impact or donate their refunds to charities, turning recycling into a digitally connected experience.

Conclusion

Reverse Vending Machines are more than recycling tools. They represent a shift in how we view waste and value. By combining technology, convenience, and behavioral science, RVMs are helping Europe move closer to a circular, zero-waste future.

At Mr. Fill, we are proud to contribute to this vision through our own Reverse Vending Machine, the Refund Fill. Designed for the next generation of sustainable cities, our Refund Fill is now available for Pilots worldwide. See this page for more information.

Mr. Fill’s Reverse Vending Machine, The Refund Fill